Apparatus for manipulating rod-like articles



Sept. 10, 1968 B. SCHUBERT APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ROD-LIKE ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 14, 1965 Sept. lO, 1968 a. SCHUBERT 3,400,857

APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ROD-LIKE ARTICLES` Original Filed Nov. 14, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnrentbr.'

Sept. 10, 1968 B. SCHUBERT APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ROD-LIKE ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed NOV. 14 1963 Sept. 10, 1968 a. SCHUBERT 4 3,400,857

APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ROD'LIKE ARTICLES Original Filed Nov. 14, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 y Mfr/wf f. www A1195 United States Patent O 3,400,857 APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ROD-LIKE ARTICLES Bernhard Schubert, Hamburg-Lohbrugge, Germany, as-

signor to Hauni Werke Korber & Co., KG, Hamburg, Germany Original application Nov. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 323,694, now Patent No. 3,270,601, dated Sept. 6, 1966. Divided and this application Sept. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 578,874 Claims priority, application Germany, Nov. 17, 1962,

s claims. (ci. zzn-93) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A magazine which dispenses rod-shaped articles into axially parallel pockets of a rotating wheel has a chamber for a supply of articles, two chutes along which the articles can leave the magazine yby gravity, and a housing defining a compartment disposed between the two chutes and adapted to receive from either chute one article at a time. IThe housing shields the articles in the compartment from articles in the chamber. The wheel extends into the lower part of the compartment and advances its holders past the lower ends of the chutes so that the holders can receive articles from either chute or directly from the compartment.

This is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 323,694, filed Nov. 14, 1963, now U.S. Patent No. 3,270,601.

The present invention relates to apparatus for manipulating filter rods, cigarette rods and similar rod shaped articles. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for conveying and staggering in a novel way rodlike bodies which are obtained by subdivision of rodshaped articles of multiple unit length into two or more axially aligned sections and which are thereupon arranged in a single row wherein the sections form a single file.

In modern filter cigarette machines, mouthpiece sections of double unit length are inserted between pairs of axially aligned cigarette rods, and such assemblies of cigarette rods and mouthpiece sections are thereupon provided with wrappers of adhesive-coated tape which surround the mouthpiece section and the adjacent portions of both cigarette rods so that each assembly forms a filter cigarette of double unit length. The assemblies are then severed across the wrapper to obtain two filter cigarettes of ultimate length. Mouthpiece sections of double unit length are obtained by severing filter rods of multiple unit length and 'by thereupon shuffling the thus obtained axially aligned sections in order to form a single file which may be fed to a so-called assembly drum of the filter cigarette machine on which the mouthpiece sections are assembled with pairs of cigarette rods.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel magazine and a novel transfer conveyor which may be utilized in an apparatus of the just outlined characteristics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a magazine which insures that each of a series of successive pockets or holders in a travelling conveyor invariably receives a rod-shaped article by gravity feed and while the conveyor travels at a high speed.

Briefly stated, my invention resides in the provision of an apparatus which may be utilized with particular advantage for staggering axially aligned rod-shaped sections which are obtained by subdivision of successive rodshaped articles into a plurality of shorter rods. The apparatus comprises a magazine including wall means defining preferably a pair of spaced chutes having open Patented Sept. 10, 1968 ICC lower ends through which the rod-shaped articles may descend seriatim from a main article-accommodating chamber of the magazine, and a housing disposed between the chutes and defining a compartment arranged to receive a supply of articles from the lower ends of the chutes and having an open lower end, and a conveyor disposed below the chutes and the housing and having a plurality of holding means each arranged to receive an article from one of the chutes or from the compartment. Thus, if a holding means does not receive an article from the first chute -(as seen in the direction of travel of the conveyor), it will receive an article from the compartment or from the other chute. Also, the housing prevents the articles in the main chamber from transmitting their weight to the articles in the compartment so that the articles in the compartment cannot undergo excessive deformation even if they remain therein for longer intervals of time.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the three conveyors, of two rotary cutters, and of a magazine for filter rods, with certain parts broken away;

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view wherein the parts shown in FIG. l are indicated by phantom lines and wherein the manner in which the filter rods and the sections of subdivided filter rods move through the apparatus is shown by full lines;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism serving to rotate a series of activating rollers which regulate the discharge of filter rods from the magazine, certain portions of the mechanism being broken away; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic front elevational view of the drive mechanism for the conveyors and the cutters.

Referring to FIGS. l and 2, there is shown an apparatus which is utilized for transforming an array consisting of rows of equidistant axially aligned filter rod sections of double unit length into a single row of transversely staggered sections. This row of transversely staggered sections is thereupon condensed to form a single file of sections which may be delivered to an assembly drum where each section enters the space between a pair of axially aligned cigarette rods to form with the cigarette rods a filter cigarette of double unit length.

The apparatus comprises a novel magazine 6 which feeds rod-shaped articles R, here shown as filter rods of sextuple unit length, to a feed conveyor 2. This feed conveyor cooperates with a pair of angularly and axially spaced rotary cutters 29, 30 which subdivide the rods R into sections Fl, F2, F3 of double unit length, The conveyor 2 thereupon moves such sections in a circular path to a first transfer station A at which the foremost axially aligned sections F1, F2, F3 are received seriatim by a transfer conveyor 1 in such a -way that the axially aligned sections of each consecutive rod are staggered transversely and thereupon move in separate circular paths and through difierent distances to a second transfer station B at Iwhich they are deposited in peripheral holding means or pockets 3a provided on a receiving conveyor 3 which serves to move the sections in a further circular path at identical speeds so that the transverse spacing between the sections remains unchanged. The conveyor 3 allows the sections to be moved axially with respect to each other so that the sections ultimately form a single file which is ready to be delivered to an assembly drum, not shown.

The transfer conveyor 1 comprises three transfer elements here shown as disks 1a, 1b, 1c which are respectively provided with equidistant peripheral holding means in the form of pockets 4a, 4b, 4c. The angular distance between the centers of pockets 4a, 4b, 4c is 3T wherein T is the angular distance between the centers of pockets 3a on the receiving conveyor 3. The reference numerals 5a, 5b, 5c indicate arcuate guide faces provided on the peripheries of the disks 1a, 1b, 1c and leading inwardly to the respective pockets 4a, 4b, 4c.

The feed conveyor 2 comprises six coaxial gear-shaped wheels 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f which are disposed in pairs including a 'first pair 2a, 2b, a second pair 2c, 2d and a third pair 2e, 2f. The distance between the wheels 2a, 2b is such that a portion of the disk 1a extends into the space therebetween. A larger portion of the disk 1b extends into the space between the wheels 2c, 2d, and a still larger portion of the disk 1c extends into the space between the wheels 2e, 2f. The cutter 29 extends into the gap between the wheels 2d, 2e and the cutter 30 extends into the gap between the wheels 2b, 2c so that a filter rod R of Sextuple unit length which is received in aligned holding means or pockets of the wheels 2a-2e is automatically severed into three sections F1, F2, F3 of double unit length as the rod advances past the cutters 29, 30. The aligned pockets of the tirst pair of wheels 2a, 2b are identified by numerals 35a and these pockets accommodate the left-hand sections F1 of the rods R which are severed by the cutter 30. The aligned pockets 35b of the second pair of wheels 2c, 2d receive the median sections F2 which are severed by the cutter 29, and the aligned pockets 35C of the 'wheels 2e, 2f receive the right-hand sections F3 which are severed by the cutter 29. The distance between the centers of two adjacent pockets 35a, 35b or 35C exceeds only slightly the diameter of a filter rod R so that a feed conveyor of comparatively small diameter may carry a large number of rods.

The magazine 6 comprises a pair of converging outer side walls 6a, 6b, a rear wall 6c and an internal structure including two roof-shaped top walls 7a, 7b, two vertical inner side walls 8a, 8b, and an arcuate inverted U-shaped housing 9 having side walls 9a, 9b. The side walls 6a, 8a and 6b, 8b form two chutes having open lower ends which discharge two streams of filter rods R by gravity toward the periphery of the feed conveyor 2. Two horizontal agitating rollers 12, 13 extend into the respective chutes and serve to prevent bridging of filter rods which descend by gravity from the main article-accommodating chamber above the housing 9 and downwardly toward the feed conveyor 2. The rollers 12, 13 rotate back and forth and are driven by a mechanism which is shown in FIG. 3. Two agitating rollers 10, 10a are disposed at a level below the roller 12 at the open lower end of the left-hand chute, and each thereof comprises a series of coaxial rolls with the rolls of the roller 10 extending into cutouts provided in the outer side wall 6a. The rolls of the roller 10a are located below the lower ends of the walls 8a, 9a, and these walls have downwardly extending projections (only the projections 9a are shown in FIG. 1) which extend into the spaces between the rolls of the roller 10a. The rollers 10, 10a are rotated back and forth by the mechanism which is shown in FIG. 3 and serve to deliver rods R individually into the pockets 35a-35c or into a rod-receiving compartment 9c defined by the housing 9.

A Second pair of agitating rollers 11, 11b is disposed below the roller 13 and the rolls of the roller 11 are recessed in cutouts provided in the outer side wall 6b. The roller 11b is located below the walls 8b, 9b and these walls have projections (only the projections 8b are shown in FIG. 1) which extend into the spaces between the axially aligned rolls of the roller 11b. The rollers 11, 11b rotate back and forth and perform the same function as the rollers 10, 10a.

The magazine 6 has a ridge between the walls 7a, 7b

to direct articles from the main chamber into the chutes. The open lower end of the compartment 9c is spaced from the conveying means 2 by a distance which at least equals the diameter of a rod-shaped article R (see FIG. 2) so that such articles can pass from the chutes into the compartment and that the conveying means can rotate without any interference on the part of the magazine.

The mechanism which drives the rollers 10, 10a, 11, 11b, 12 and 13 is illustrated in FIG. 3. It comprises a driver gear 14 whose shaft 14a is rotated by the main drive shaft 49 of the apparatus (to be described in Connection with FIG. 4) and which meshes with a pinion 15 mounted on a shaft 15b and carrying an eccentric pin 15a. The pin 15a is connnected with a push rod 16 which carries a pin 17 eccentrically secured to a gear 1'8 which meshes with pinions 19, 20 and 21 respectively mounted on the shafts of the rollers 12, 10a and 10. The gear 18 carries a second eccentric pin 22 which is connected with one end of a second push rod 23, and the other end of this second push rod carries a pin 25 which is eccentrically secured to a gear 24. The gear 24 meshes with pinions 26, 27, 28 which are respectively mounted on the shafts of the rollers 13, 11, 11b. The shaft 14a of the driver gear 14 rotates in a clockwise direction so that the pinion 15 will be driven in a counterclockwise direction and the wheels 1-8, 24 will rotate back and forih to transmit similar rotary movements to the rollers whereby the rollers agitate the supply of filter rods in the magazine 6 and advance the two single streams of such rods into the pockets e-35e of the feed drum 2 as well as into the compartment 9c.

Referring to FIG. 4, there are shown the drive mechanisms for the conveyors 1-3 and cutters 29, 30. A main drive shaft carries two driver gears 42, 43 which rotate in a clockwise direction (arrow 41). The gear 42 meshes with a gear 44 which in turn drives the shaft 45 of the feed conveyor 2, The circle 46 Shown in FIG. 4 is the pitch circle of the pockets 35u-35C.

The gear 43 drives a gear 47 which is mounted on the shaft 48 of the transfer conveyor 1. The shaft 48 is stationary and the Igear 47 drives the disk 1c through a clutch 47a shown in FIG. 1. The disk 1c drives the disk 1b through a coupling bolt (not shown) and the disk 1b drives the disk 1a through a second coupling bolt.

The gear 47 also meshes with a gear 49 mounted on an intermediate shaft 5t) which carries a gear 51 meshing with a gear 52 which in turn meshes with a gear S3 on a shaft 54. The shaft 54 carries a gear 55 which meshes with a gear 56 on the shaft 57 of the receiving conveyor 3. If desired, the gear train 49, 51, 52, 53, may be replaced by a gear 58 (shown in phantom lines) mounted on the shaft 4S and meshing with the gear 56 on the shaft 57 of the conveyor 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 2a-2f of the feed conveyor 2 are provided with 48 pockets 35a, 35b, 35C. The conveyor 3 has 16 pocke's 3a, and each of the disks Irl-1c has six pockets. The transmission ratio 'between the conveyors 1 and 2 is 8:1.

The main drive shaft 4t) rotates the driver shaft 14a of FIG. 3 through a chain or belt drive, not shown. All shafts are mounted in a suitable frame a portion of which cons'itutes the rear wall 6c of the magazine 6. The shaft 4t) is driven by a suitable electric motor through a variable-speed transmission, not shown.

The cutters 29, 30 are driven by a main shaft 60 which carries a pulley 61 for a belt 62. The belt 62 is trained around a pulley 63 which drives the cutter 29, The pulley 63 is coaxially secured to a pulley 64 which drives a belt 65 trained around a `pulley 66. This pulley 66 rotates the cutter 30. The shaft may be driven by a Separate electric motor, not shown.

The manner in which the disks la-lc transfer rod sections F1-F3 onto the conveyor 3 is fully disclosed in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 323,694 and forms no part of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applicaions without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention, yand therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles, particularly for staggering axially aligned sections which are obtained by subdivision of a successive rodshaped articles, a magazine comprising a chamber accommodating a supply of rod-shaped articles, wall means defining two chutes located spaced from each other and each of said chutes having an open lower end through which the articles may leave said chamber by gravity, and a housing extending between said chutes and `defining a compartment communicating with and arranged to receive articles from said chutes, said housing extending between said chamber and said compartment so as t0 shield the articles entering said compartment through one of said chutes from the supply of articles in said chamber and said housing having an open side where articles can leave said compartment; and conveying means disposed below said chutes and extending below the open side of said housing and having a series of holding means each arranged to receive an article directly from either of said chutes or from said compartment in response to relative movement between said magazine and said conveying means, said open side of said housing overlying at least two of said holding means.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1, further comprising -agitating means provided in at least one of said chutes to prevent bridging of articles in said magazine.

3i. A structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein said agitating means comprises a pair of rollers adjacent to the lower end of said one chute.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conveying means extends into the open side of said housing and said holding means comprise pockets whose depth exceeds the radius of a rod-shaped article.

5. A structure as set forih in claim 1, wherein the holding means of said conveying means are equidistant from each other and constitute pockets each having a depth exceeding the radius of a rod-shaped article.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an inverted -U-shaped wall structure and said magazine further comprises a ridge disposed above said housing to direct articles into said Chutes.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conveying means comprises at least one wheel rotatable about a fixed axis and wherein said holding means are constituted by pockets provided in the periphery of said wheel.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the open side of said housing is disposed between the lower ends of said chutes and wherein said wall means include a pair of converging outer walls for guiding the articles into the lower ends of said chutes and sideways toward the lower end of said compartment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,924,356 2/1960 Pollmann 221-201 2,942,757 6/1960 Pollmann 221-201 FOREIGN PATENTS 768,592 2/ 1957 Great Britain.

RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner. 

